In his lifetime Alfred Wegener was a German meteorologist who was better known for his offbeat scientific adventures than for his now famous theory of continental drift. In this lushly imagined and beautifully written novel, Clare Dudman charts his life from his birth in 1880 to his last daring Arctic exploration in 1930. Dudman vividly chronicles the key episodes that punctuated his life, such as his 1906 record-setting long-distance balloon flight; his several expeditions to Greenland; his passionate love for his long-suffering wife; his investigations into meteorites, lunar craters, and the formation of raindrops; and his horrific experiences in the trenches of World War I. Dudman also tells of his struggle to defend his theories, a struggle that forced him to leave all that he loved to make one final, fateful, expedition to Greenland at the age of forty-nine.

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Quotes & Awards

“Dudman artfully channels Wegener’s voice—prim and fastidious, but filled with longing—so convincingly that her book reads like an artifact of Old World exploration.”

New Yorker

“The emotional yet understated final scenes are particularly fine.”

Publishers Weekly

“The animus of motivation, the thrill of adventure, and the terrifying beauty of a forbidden region are all described with profound insight.”

Daily Telegraph

“Dudman gets inside Wegener’s ideas and makes them seem as exciting now as they did three-quarters of a century ago…a splendid vehicle for a depiction of a time, not so long ago, when science could still cost you your life.”

Independent

“Dudman has clearly done her research, presenting a thorough, as well as a thoroughly intriguing, novel that beautifully portrays one truly fascinating man.”

Booklist

Listener Opinions

krin | 12/11/2013

" Seen through the eyes of Alfred Wegener, this book about his life mixed both poetry and science. I liked learning about Wegener's expeditions in Greenland and about his trying to convince the scientific community about continental drift. "

Gabrielle | 10/31/2012

" This book starts slow, but it was worthwhile to understand the workings of explorers/scientists in the early 1900's. Would recommend to any geologist, explorer. "

Shawna | 9/7/2012

" Interesting account of the theory of continental drift. There is even mention of global climate changes from 100 years ago. I am amazed that Wegener is not recognized by name. "

Elizabeth Baines | 7/29/2012

" Impressive and atmospheric: the snowbound scenes are still with me. "

Stephanie | 5/21/2012

" This is the fictionalized [auto]biography of an obscure German scientist who lived, studied, and explored remote areas of Greenland in the early 20th century. Certainly it is well-written and well-researched, but I never really connected with the characters or the story. "

Diana Higgins | 4/3/2012

" I liked this book. I'd have given it 3-1/2 stars if I could have. I thought it was well-written and I loved the characters. It started to drag a little for me in the last third, though. "

John | 2/5/2012

" A very imaginative story showing not just heroism but the personal fears of a scientist and explorer from the beginning of the Twentieth Century. "

Sarah | 11/1/2011

" I've read it, but I don't remember much, except that the preface was beautiful. "

Kris | 10/22/2011

" Clare Dudman is an AMAZING writer, but you don't hear much about her. This book made me care about a meteorologist in the Arctic Circle around 1930 (Alfred Wegener, if you're better with science than I am), which is quite an accomplishment. The writing is beautiful, and the character is so real. "

Shawna | 5/28/2011

" Interesting account of the theory of continental drift. There is even mention of global climate changes from 100 years ago. I am amazed that Wegener is not recognized by name.
"

Liza | 5/24/2010

" FYI, this book is also under the (much better and more evocative, IMHO) title One Day the Ice Will Reveal All Its Dead!

Read more reviews there--it's a wonderful book.
"

Diana | 9/8/2009

" I liked this book. I'd have given it 3-1/2 stars if I could have. I thought it was well-written and I loved the characters. It started to drag a little for me in the last third, though.
"

Elizabeth | 12/19/2008

" Impressive and atmospheric: the snowbound scenes are still with me.
"

John | 11/12/2008

" A very imaginative story showing not just heroism but the personal fears of a scientist and explorer from the beginning of the Twentieth Century.
"

krin | 6/3/2008

" Seen through the eyes of Alfred Wegener, this book about his life mixed both poetry and science. I liked learning about Wegener's expeditions in Greenland and about his trying to convince the scientific community about continental drift.
"

Steph | 4/8/2008

" This is the fictionalized [auto]biography of an obscure German scientist who lived, studied, and explored remote areas of Greenland in the early 20th century. Certainly it is well-written and well-researched, but I never really connected with the characters or the story.
"

Sarah | 12/24/2007

" I've read it, but I don't remember much, except that the preface was beautiful.
"

Kris | 5/10/2007

" Clare Dudman is an AMAZING writer, but you don't hear much about her. This book made me care about a meteorologist in the Arctic Circle around 1930 (Alfred Wegener, if you're better with science than I am), which is quite an accomplishment. The writing is beautiful, and the character is so real.
"

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